Visor assembly

ABSTRACT

A visor arrangement, in particular for a safety helmet. The visor arrangement includes at least one protective panel element for at least partially protecting a face of a wearer and at least one additional protective grid element which can be secured locally to the at least one protective panel element in order to protect the at least one protective panel element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States National Phase Application of International Application PCT/EP2017/057194 filed Mar. 27, 2017 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application Serial No. 10 2016 205 448.1 filed Apr. 1, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a visor arrangement, in particular for a safety helmet. Furthermore, the invention is based on an additional protective grid element for such a visor arrangement. The invention further relates to a safety helmet comprising such a visor arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is previously known from public prior use to provide forestry workers with a so-called forestry worker set for their work in the forest. The forestry worker set generally comprises a working safety helmet and ear defenders which are fitted thereto and a grid visor which is connected thereto in order to protect the forestry worker from flying wood chips which are often produced when sawing tree trunks, branches or the like. It is disadvantageous in this instance that the grid visor does not provide sufficient protection from branches which strike the grid visor at high speed. A large proportion of industrial accidents with forestry workers can be attributed thereto.

There are also known from the prior art helmet visors of shock-resistant plastics material which provide good protection from mechanical influences, such as from branches. However, such helmet visors have the disadvantage that wood chips become adhesively bonded to them during forestry work as a result of their resin, which impairs the vision of the forestry worker and thus results in a new source of danger.

DE 297 08 134 U1 discloses a forestry worker safety helmet which comprises a visor which can be pivoted in front of a field of vision. The helmet further has a helmet screen which protrudes over the field of vision and on which in turn at the bottom edge two clips which are open in a downward direction are positioned. A plastics panel which is formed in the manner of a frameless set of spectacles can be engaged in the clips.

JP 2012-046857 A discloses a helmet with a panel. An additional panel can be secured on the panel and carries magnets for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages connected with the prior art. In particular, a visor arrangement is intended to be provided which, on the one hand, affords an extremely high level of protection from mechanical influences and, on the other hand, is particularly user-friendly. A corresponding additional protective grid element is further intended to be provided. Furthermore, a corresponding protective helmet is intended to be provided.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a visor arrangement, in particular for a safety helmet, comprising at least one protective panel element for at least partially protecting a face of a wearer, and at least one additional protective grid element which can be secured locally to the at least one protective panel element in order to protect the at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one additional protective grid element comprises at least one securing device for locally securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element, and wherein the at least one securing device has at least one surrounding receiving member for partially engaging around the at least one protective panel element.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by an additional protective grid element for a visor arrangement, comprising at least one securing device for releasably locally securing it to at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one securing device has at least one surrounding receiving member for partially engaging round the at least one protective panel element.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by a safety helmet, in particular working safety helmet, having a helmet shell for at least partially covering a head of a helmet wearer, and having a visor arrangement which is connected to the helmet shell according to the invention.

The central notion involves at least one additional protective grid element, in particular as an attachment, being able to be secured to at least one protective panel element for additional protection. Advantageously, the at least one additional protective grid element can be locally secured directly to the at least one protective panel element. This localized securing is preferably possible without tools.

As a result of the at least one additional protective grid element, in the assembled state thereof the at least one protective panel element is securely protected, which ultimately also leads to better protection of the wearer. In particular, the at least one additional protective grid element then effectively prevents during use wood chips which are exuding resin from becoming bonded to the outer side of the at least one protective panel element.

As a result of the at least one securing device, the at least one additional protective grid element can be secured to the at least one protective panel element in a particularly secure manner. In particular, a relative movement between the at least one additional protective grid element and the at least one protective panel element can thus be prevented in at least one movement direction. Advantageously, there is between the at least one surrounding receiving member and the at least one protective panel element a locking and/or plug type connection which can in particular be released again.

Advantageously, the at least one additional protective grid element has at least one, preferably lateral, fixing hook for fixing it to the at least one protective panel element.

It is advantageous for the at least one additional protective grid element to have at least one grid region and at least one frame portion which is connected to the at least one grid region. The at least one additional protective grid element is advantageously constructed in a symmetrical manner.

The at least one additional protective grid element preferably has an opening width which is between 10 and 50, in particular between 15 and 40, openings/cm². A light transmittance is preferably between 50 and 90%, preferably between 55 and 80%. The at least one additional protective grid element is preferably constructed as a full-face additional protective grid element.

At least the grid region of the at least one additional protective grid element is preferably formed from a metal material or a plastics material, such as nylon.

The at least one additional protective grid element is preferably arranged behind the at least one protective panel element in the assembled state thereof in the viewing direction of the visor arrangement. It is thus arranged in particular at the outer side on the at least one protective panel element. In the worn state, the at least one protective panel element faces the eyes of the wearer of the visor arrangement, whereas the at least one additional protective grid element is located at the side of the visor arrangement facing away from the eyes. It is advantageous for the at least one additional protective grid element in the assembled state to cover the at least one protective panel element at least partially, advantageously completely.

Preferably, on the at least one additional protective grid element and/or protective panel element at least one spacer element is arranged for the partially spaced-apart arrangement of the at least one additional protective grid element with respect to the at least one protective panel element. It is advantageously possible, as a result of the at least one spacer element, for the at least one additional protective grid element and protective panel element in the connected state at least in the viewing range thereof to extend with spacing, but at least partially parallel with each other.

The at least one protective panel element is preferably constructed in a symmetrical manner. It preferably ensures a high level of protection from flying, large and/or heavy members, such as branches. It is advantageous for the at least one protective panel element to be formed from plastics material, in particular impact-resistant plastics material. The at least one protective panel element is preferably transparent. It may be tinted. Advantageously, the at least one protective panel element is constructed as a full-face protective panel element or an eye protective panel element.

It is advantageous for precisely one protective panel element and/or an additional protective grid element to be provided.

The protective helmet is in particular provided for forestry workers. Other application purposes are alternatively possible. It is advantageously constructed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry. It is advantageous for a soft lining to be provided in the helmet shell.

The visor arrangement, in which the at least one additional protective grid element can be locally secured releasably to the at least one protective panel element, enables a simple, in particular tool-free, disassembly of the visor arrangement so that, for example, the at least one additional protective grid element and/or the at least one protective panel element can be simply replaced or individually cleaned.

The visor arrangement enables a secure connection between the at least one additional protective grid element and the at least one protective panel element. Preferably, between these members in the assembled state of the visor arrangement there are both a non-positive-locking and a positive-locking connection with respect to each other which leads to an extremely high level of operational reliability.

The visor arrangement, in which the at least one additional protective grid element comprises at least one magnet securing device for locally magnetically securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element, is particularly user-friendly. The at least one additional protective grid element can thus be locally secured in an extremely simple and secure manner to the at least one protective panel element. A simple disassembly is thus also ensured.

The at least one magnetic element is preferably a permanent magnet. The at least one magnetic counter-element is then advantageously constructed as a permanent magnet or ferromagnetic element. A transposed arrangement of the magnetic element and magnetic counter-element is alternatively possible.

The visor arrangement, in which the at least one magnetic element and the at least one magnetic counter-element of the respective at least one magnetic element pair in the retention position thereof and in the assembled state of the at least one additional protective grid element cooperate with each other and are arranged at opposing sides of the at least one protective panel element in order to retain the at least one additional protective grid element on the at least one protective panel element, leads to an extremely secure connection between the at least one additional protective grid element and the at least one protective panel element. Advantageously, the at least one protective panel element is free from magnetic element(s) or magnetic counter-element(s).

The visor arrangement, in which the at least one magnet securing device comprises at least one folding arrangement for arranging the at least one magnet securing device around at least one edge region of the at least one protective panel element, again enables an extremely secure and durable connection between the at least one protective panel element and the at least one additional protective grid element. The at least one folding arrangement preferably has at least one, preferably integral articulation, hinge or the like. It is advantageous for at least one spacer web and/or retention web of the at least one folding arrangement to be integral/in one piece and connected to the at least one frame portion of the at least one additional protective grid element in an articulated manner.

In one embodiment, the at least one magnet securing device comprises at least one displacement element for arranging the at least one magnet securing device around at least one edge region of the at least one protective panel element. The at least one displacement element which is in particular constructed separately can advantageously be moved between a locking retention position and an assembly/disassembly position, in particular is movably guided. It is advantageously constructed as a sliding and/or pivot element.

The safety helmet, in which the visor arrangement can be displaced, in particular pivoted, with respect to the helmet shell between a protective position and a parking position, is particularly user-friendly. If the visor arrangement is not required, it can be displaced into the parking position thereof and thus does not constitute an irritation. In the protective position, the visor arrangement provides good protection for the wearer.

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached figures. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety helmet with a visor arrangement of the invention which is arranged in a protective position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the safety helmet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the visor arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cut-out view of FIG. 3 which illustrates the securing of an additional protective grid element on a protective panel element of the visor arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a partial cut-out view which corresponds to FIG. 4 and which shows the securing of an additional protective grid element on a protective panel element according to a second embodiment of the visor arrangement according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cut-out view which illustrates another securing of the additional protective grid element shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 on the protective panel element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Initially with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, a forestry worker safety helmet comprises a dish-like helmet shell 1 and a visor arrangement 2 which is arranged on the helmet shell 1.

The helmet shell 1 is formed rigidly and preferably from plastics material. It serves to cover the head of a helmet wearer.

There is arranged on the helmet shell 1 in each case a carrier arm 3 which can be moved, in particular pivoted and/or displaced, with respect to the helmet shell 1 and which carries the visor arrangement 2. The visor arrangement 2 can in turn advantageously be pivoted with respect to the carrier arms 3. It can be moved in its entirety between a lower protective position shown in FIG. 1 and an upper parking position (not shown). In use, the visor arrangement 2 which is located in the protective position is protectively in front of the face of the helmet wearer and is transparent, whilst it is then moved upward away from the face of the helmet wearer in the parking position thereof.

The visor arrangement 2 comprises a protective panel element 4 which is constructed in this instance as a full-face protective panel element and is formed from transparent, impact-resistant plastics material. The protective panel element 4 has a closed protective panel 5 and two bearing means 6 which are arranged laterally at the top. The protective panel 5 provides a viewing region.

Furthermore, the protective panel element 4 has a transverse web 7 which adjoins an upper edge 8 of the protective panel 5 and which protrudes at that location counter to a viewing direction 9 of the visor arrangement 2, that is to say, toward the rear or toward the inner side. The transverse web 7 extends substantially between the bearing means 6.

The bearing means 6 are constructed as bearing openings which are substantially circular and closed at the peripheral side.

In the assembled state of the protective panel element 4, there extends through each bearing means 6 a bearing member arrangement 10 which also extends through a corresponding bearing hole 11, which is closed at the peripheral side, in the corresponding carrier arm 3 and which defines a pivot axis. Via the bearing member arrangements 10, the protective panel element 4 is connected to the carrier arms 3 and thus to the helmet shell 1 in an articulated manner.

Furthermore, the visor arrangement 2 comprises an additional protective grid element 12 which in the assembled state is arranged at the outer side with respect to the protective panel element 4. The additional protective grid element 12 is constructed as a full-face additional protective grid element. It has a grid region 13 and a frame portion 14 which completely extends around/surrounds the grid region 13. The grid region 13 is formed by a grid (network). Meshes formed by the grid region 13 advantageously have a mesh width which is between 10 and 50, in particular 15 and 40, openings/cm². A light transmittance is preferably between 50 and 90%, more preferably between 55 and 80%. The grid region 13 provides a viewing region.

In order to locally secure the additional protective grid element 12 to the protective panel element 4, the additional protective grid element 12 has a securing arrangement which will be explained in greater detail below, in particular with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6.

As particularly FIGS. 3, 4 illustrate, the securing arrangement comprises two magnet securing devices 15 which are each arranged laterally with respect to the grid region 13.

Each magnet securing device 15 has two magnetic elements 16 which are arranged laterally on the frame portion 14 and which are spaced apart from each other along the frame portion 14. Advantageously, the magnetic elements 16 are embedded in the frame portion 14. They are in this instance arranged at the carrier side or at the inner side on the frame portion 14 and are preferably free at the inner side.

Adjacent to the magnetic elements 16 of each magnet securing device 15, a folding arrangement 17 of the magnet securing device 15 adjoins the frame portion 14 laterally opposite the grid region 13. Each folding arrangement 17 has a first film hinge 18 which adjoins the frame portion 14, a spacer web 19 which adjoins the first film hinge 18, a second film hinge 20 which adjoins the spacer web 19 and a retention portion 21 which adjoins the second film hinge 20.

The spacer web 19 and the retention portion 21 of each folding arrangement 17 are integrally connected to each other. They are integrally connected to the frame portion 14.

The first film hinges 18 extend partially along the frame portion 14. The film hinges 18, 20 of each folding arrangement 17 extend parallel with each other. Advantageously, with each film hinge 18, 20 there is a reduced thickness and/or material weakening in order to form in each case a corresponding pivot axis.

Each spacer web 19 is rectangular and can be pivoted about the associated first film hinge 18 with respect to an adjacent region of the frame portion 14. Each spacer web 19 has a width which substantially corresponds to an edge-side thickness of a side region of the protective panel element 4.

Each retention portion 21 is rectangular and can be pivoted via the associated second film hinge 20 with respect to the adjacent spacer web 19.

Each retention portion 21 carries two magnetic counter-elements 22 which are arranged spaced apart from each other along the retention portion 21. The spacing of the magnetic counter-elements 22 of a retention member 21 corresponds to the spacing of the magnetic elements 16 of a magnet securing device 15.

Each retention portion 21 can be pivoted between a retention position (FIG. 4) and an assembly/disassembly position (FIG. 3, left) about the adjacent first film hinge 18 and/or the second film hinge 20.

In the retention position in the assembled state of the additional protective grid element 12 between each retention portion 21 and a corresponding adjacent region of the frame portion 14, the protective panel element 4 is partially enclosed at that location. Each retention portion 21 then extends substantially parallel with an adjacent region of the frame portion 14 and the respective magnetic elements 16 are in magnetic connection with the then-opposing magnetic counter-elements 22 so that the respective retention portion 21 is virtually retained at the rear side on the protective panel element 4. The magnetic elements 16 and the magnetic counter-elements 22 are to this end polarized in such a manner that they then attract and a magnetic connection is produced. The protective panel element 4 is arranged between the spacer webs 19. The spacer webs 19 extend at that location in an adjacent manner along the protective panel element 4.

In the assembly/disassembly position which also forms a release position, the respective retention portion 21 is raised from the protective panel element 4 and the magnetic connection between the magnetic counter-elements 22 and the associated magnetic elements 16 is released. The additional protective grid element 12 can thus be lifted from the protective panel element 4.

Furthermore, the securing arrangement has a surrounding receiving member 23 (FIG. 6) which is constructed in an upper edge region 24 of the frame portion 14. The surrounding receiving member 23 is open in the viewing direction 9 of the visor arrangement 2, that is to say, toward the front or outer side. It has a locking opening 25 at the upper side.

In the assembled state of the additional protective grid element 12, the transverse web 7 engages, in particular in a positive-locking manner, in the surrounding receiving member 23, wherein a locking projection 26 which is arranged at the top on the transverse web 7 engages in a locking manner from below in the locking opening 25. The locking projection 26 has an inclined introduction member 27 which rises from a free rear edge 28 of the transverse web 7 with a retention shoulder 29 being formed. The inclined introduction member 27 facilitates introduction of the transverse web 7 into the surrounding receiving member 23. The retention shoulder 29 prevents in the engaged state of the locking projection 26 in the locking opening 25 an undesirable release of the locking connection. It then faces in the engaged state a wall of the frame portion 14 which delimits the locking opening 25. Via the locking opening 25, the locking connection can be released again.

A second embodiment of the magnet securing devices will be described below with reference to FIG. 5, wherein reference will also be made to the previous description.

In contrast to the above embodiment, adjacent to the magnetic elements 16 of each magnet securing device 15, a retention portion 30 protrudes from the frame portion 14 counter to the viewing direction 9, that is to say, toward the rear or toward the inner side. There is guided, in particular in a displaceable manner, by each retention portion 30 a displacement element 31 which carries the two magnetic counter-elements 22.

In the retention position, the respective displacement element 31 engages behind the protective panel element 4 and the magnetic counter-elements 22 are in magnetic connection with the magnetic elements 16 which are then arranged in an adjacent manner.

In the assembly/disassembly position, the respective displacement element 31 is retracted and enables the arrangement of the additional protective grid element 12 on the protective panel element 4 or corresponding removal.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

1. A visor arrangement, comprising: at least one protective panel element for at least partially protecting a face of a wearer; at least one additional protective grid element secured locally to the at least one protective panel element in order to protect the at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one additional protective grid element comprises at least one securing device for locally securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one securing device has at least one surrounding receiving member for partially engaging around the at least one protective panel element, the at least one additional protective grid element comprising at least one magnet securing device for locally magnetically securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element.
 2. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one additional protective grid element can be locally secured releasably to the at least one protective panel element.
 3. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one additional protective grid element is locally secured to the at least one protective panel element in at least one of a non-positive-locking and a positive-locking manner.
 4. (canceled)
 5. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet securing device comprises at least one magnetic element pair having at least one magnetic element and at least one magnetic counter-element.
 6. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the at least one magnetic element and the at least one magnetic counter-element is displaceable between a retention position and an assembly/disassembly position.
 7. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one magnetic element and the at least one magnetic counter-element of a respective at least one magnetic element pair in the retention position thereof and in the assembled state of the at least one additional protective grid element cooperate with each other and are arranged at opposing sides of the at least one protective panel element in order to retain the at least one additional protective grid element on the at least one protective panel element.
 8. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet securing device comprises at least one folding arrangement for arranging the at least one magnet securing device around at least one edge region of the at least one protective panel element.
 9. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet securing device comprises at least one displacement element or arranging the at least one magnet securing device around at least one edge region of the at least one protective panel element.
 10. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one displacement element carries at least one of at least one magnetic element and a magnetic counter-element.
 11. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one securing device for releasably locally securing an additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one securing device has at least one surrounding receiving member for partially engaging around the at least one protective panel element, at least another magnet securing device for locally magnetically securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element.
 12. A safety helmet, comprising; a helmet shell for at least partially covering a head of a helmet wearer; and a visor arrangement connected to the helmet shell, the visor arrangement comprising at least one protective panel element for at least partially protecting a face of a wearer and at least one additional protective grid element secured locally to the at least one protective panel element in order to protect the at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one additional protective grid element comprises at least one securing device for locally securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element, wherein the at least one securing device has at least one surrounding receiving member for partially engaging around the at least one protective panel element, the at least one additional protective grid element comprising at least one magnet securing device for locally magnetically securing the at least one additional protective grid element to the at least one protective panel element.
 13. A safety helmet as claimed in claim 12, wherein the visor arrangement is displaceable with respect to the helmet shell between a protective position and a parking position.
 14. A safety helmet as claimed in claim 12, wherein the visor arrangement is pivotable with respect to the helmet shell between a protective position and a parking position.
 15. A safety helmet as claimed in claim 12, wherein the safety helmet is a working safety helmet.
 16. A visor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visor arrangement is for a safety helmet. 